Over the past year I have traveled for pleasure, rest, and for hope. I have been to England, Scotland, France, Germany and Houston ,Texas. All of these places have their positives and negatives. Because of the “obscenity” returning to our lives just a year ago I have not been able to write about my observations in great detail.

The one thing that I have observed, as I have kept in touch with Lorain through the internet and on line media coverage with the comments, is how much energy is being put into pointing out what is wrong and the blame game from all sides.

Of course there are problems in Lorain and actually the bottom line is Lorain’s problems can be solved with “money” for the most part. It will not take an act of God or an act of War. Just financial responsibility and getting Lorain back in the black and getting back to a healthy starting point.

I can tell you that a couple of million dollars in the grand scheme of things is nothing but not having it available means that people’s livelihoods that depend on the few 10’s of thousands they receive yearly are in jeopardy because it isn’t there. We jump on the “get rid of healthcare benefits” bandwagon for our fellow citizens which makes me shudder having seen first hand what can happen to people without enough healthcare. You are in some cases handing out a death sentence to someone- I have seen it happen!

Our safety is at risk, our reputation as a place to live, our future. So what can be done?

If I had a couple of extra millions I would gladly pay Lorain’s debt- because Lorain has been a wonderful place for me and her people some of the best I have ever met anywhere ( even the ones I disagree with at times)- Lorainites have come through for me time and time again and continue to do so ! But you can’t take that to the bank.

These past months have found the usual he said she said blame game, the pontificators of causes and those that continue to cry Lorain is dead and dying and a dump.

Lorain isn’t dead and dying, Lorain is in need of the talents and hard work and pulling together of all her citizens.

Every single Council person , outgoing and incoming, every single police officer, firefighter, union member , utilities employee, city hall employee, administration, businessman/woman, educator, religious community member , media – all have an individual strength and talent they can bring to the table .

Don’t discount the ability of anyone there are no weak links in the chain in Lorain every single person in this city has something to contribute to her success.

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel or nickle and dime the taxpayers. What we need is to draw upon the strength of our citizens, even the ones we are politically or personally at odds with – we need your ideas, expertise and “follow through” to solve what is quite simply a “money problem” and not an insurmountable money problem.

Lorain is not well what can you do to make her healthy ( quickly not 10 years from now NOW!!! within the next few weeks )- as legislators- administrators- educators- citizens-

1. How do we come up with a few million dollars without going to the public trough for more taxes?

2. What can you do as an individual to help ?

3. We have had “Save the Lighthouse” fundraisers can it work for Lorain?

4. Can we put aside our personal / professional likes and dislikes and come together for our home and our neighbors?

Can we as a community “Embrace Lorain” and forgive her faults and give her a chance? Can YOU? WILL YOU ???